Two years before St. Francis gave his soul back to heaven, while he was staying in a hermitage called Alverna, after the place where it was located, he saw a vision from God of a man with six wings like a seraph standing above him with hands extended and feet together, affixed to a cross. Two wings were raised over his head, two were extended in flight, and two his his entire body.
When the blessed servant of God saw these things he was filled with wonder, but he did not know what the vision meant. He rejoiced greatly in the benign and gracious expression with which he saw himself regarded by the seraph, whose beauty was indescribable; yet he was alarmed that the seraph was affixed to the cross and suffered greatly. Thus Francis rose, one might say, sad and happy, joy and grief alternating in him. He wondered anxiously what this vision could mean, and his soul was uneasy as he searched for understanding. And as his understanding sought in vain for an explanation and his heart was filled with perplexity at the great novelty of this vision, the marks of nails began to appear in his hands and feet, just as he had seen them earlier on the crucified man above him.
First Life of Saint Francis
by
Thomas of Celano
T
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